VFL Takeaways: Major talking points, star performers, from round three of the VFL
A contender for performance of the season and young guns stamping their AFL claims headlined a massive weekend of footy. These are the key talking points from round three of the VFL.
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THE big guns came out to play in round three of the VFL.
One of the performances of the season highlighted a huge individual effort, with key teams starting to find their feet and string wins together.
Here are the key takeaways from a huge weekend of footy:
TOBY BRINGS HIS OWN FOOTY
Western Bulldogs midfield-forward Toby McLean had a day out in Footscray’s 23-point win over Richmond.
McLean recorded 47 touches, 17 clearances and nine tackles in one of the best individual games you’re likely to see at VFL level this season.
Lachie Sullivan also impressed with 31 touches and a goal.
MAGNIFICENT MANNAGH
Werribee’s impressive 23-point win over Southport was headlined by another strong display from Shan Mannagh.
The Tigers vice-captain has been brilliant to start the season and finished with 40 disposals and four goals.
Surely he collected three votes in the J.J Liston Trophy, and you would expect AFL interest is only growing ahead of the Mid-Season Draft.
SEAGULLS FORWARDS FEAST ON PORT
As Williamstown ran away with a 77-point victory over Port Melbourne, its new look forward duo put on a show.
Mathew Walker, recruited from North Melbourne, and Nick Ebinger, back in blue and gold after a year at local level, booted five goals apiece in their side’s big win.
Ebinger now has seven goals in three matches as the Seagulls continued their impressive start to the season.
James Cousins (32 disposals), Harry Jones (26) and Marty Hore (24) were the leading ball winners on the ground.
DERKSEN’S RADAR ON SONG
The GWS Giants made it back-to-back wins with a comfortable 46-point defeat of Coburg, with forward Wade Derksen playing a key role in victory.
Despite finding themselves down by two goals after a very sluggish start, they responded in quick fashion, with three of Derksen’s five majors coming in a short period to finish the first term and start the second, opening up an advantage they wouldn’t surrender.
With 32 touches and seven goals in his last two outings, it’s no coincidence GWS has looked impressive over the past fortnight.
BLUES TRIO IMPRESS
Carlton has shown it has plenty of depth available at VFL level after a trio of youngsters impressed in a 52-point win over North Melbourne.
Jaxon Binns and Paddy Dow both collected over 30 disposals and booted two goals while Brodie Kemp had 32 of his own.
Former Sydney forward Ben Ronke led the way with four goals.
MORE GOOD SIGNS FROM THE BULLANTS
Despite going down to Essendon, the signs remain positive for the Northern Bullants.
Brandon Ryan and Tyson Young again produced impressive displays to continue their strong starts to the season.
In the same game, former Bendigo Pioneer Sam Conforti thrived in the wet conditions with three goals from 25 touches.
FAHEY REMAINS UNSTOPPABLE
Giants fans have plenty of reason to be optimistic after another Josh Fahey masterclass in the midfield.
The 19-year-old was a ball magnet once again, finishing with 37 disposals, 10 clear of the next best, to add another big game performance to his resume.
It backs up a 43-possession match last week, and has the young man on an upwards trajectory that no doubt will see him make his AFL debut sooner rather than later.
LIONS VETS LEAD THE CHARGE
We’ve seen Rhys Mathieson sporadically used throughout his AFL career with the Lions, and he’s certainly putting his hand up to crack the top league once again.
He had 42 possessions for the contest, along with 40 and a goal from Jarryd Lyons, to keep Brisbane’s undefeated start to the season intact.
The two veterans are leading the way for the young guns and they’re stamping themselves as genuine contenders early.
SUNS COMPLETE COMEBACK FOR THE AGES
The signs were very ominous for the Suns in their hitout against Sandringham, finding themselves down by 32 at the first change.
From that point on they controlled the contest, getting back to within a kick heading into the final term and keeping the Zebras to just one point in the fourth.
It was an extraordinary performance from the Gold Coast, controlling possession and not losing their heads when trailing by a mighty margin.
THURLOW STARS IN DEFEAT
It wasn’t the result Southport was after in going down to Werribee, but they’ll take encouragement from the boot of Fraser Thurlow.
On a day when accuracy wasn’t the strong point of the Sharks, the half-forward slotted 4.2 and kept his side within touching distance throughout.
With three majors in the opening round, his efficiency will keep Southport’s hopes alive in 2023.
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